Printing machines



1961 F. A. DEUTSCH 3,010,387

PRINTING MACHINES Nov. 28, 1961 F. A. DEUTSCH PRINTING MACHINES 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 23, 1960 Inventor frit A. Deuizsch 0v .vdw 2: 5;: 5? 1.5. 8. WE. h.

Afton-legs United States Patent 3,010,387 FREE 1 lNG NEACHINES Fritz A. Deu'tsc'n, Euclid, Ohio, assignor to Address()- graph-Muitigraph Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 23, 196 Ser. No. 17,077 14 Claims. (Cl. 191-93} This invention relates to apparatus adapted to selectively position type characters for irnprinting or embossing plates, cards, sheets or the like.

Apparatus for selective positioning of reproducing type characters can take many different forms, as exem plified by printing machines for producing imprints on a sheet or the like or embossing machines for producing on plate, cards or the like raised type from which imprints can be made. The primary object of the present invention is to enable reproducing type characters to be selectively positioned in a unique fashion by arranging such characters in an established relationship on a carrier that is positionable to present a type character to a base line in accordance with read-out values that are to be entered in a compact stack of individually settable members which can be set to a read-out state related to the aforesaid established relationship and determinative of the positioning of the carrier relative to the base line. The present invention can be advantageously embodied in embossing apparatus in which event the type characters will have both relief (punch) and intaglio (die) representations, or the present invention can be embodied in direct imprinting apparatus in which event relief characters of direct or so-called mirror form will be afforded to imprint a sheet through the medium of an interposed inked ribbon or the like.

Thus, the processing and mailing of subscription notices, sales slips, and the maintenance of records and like business forms are facilitated by imprinting such forms with selectively positionable type characters in accordance with the present invention. Such imprinting has heretofore been effected primarily with relatively small printing plates embossed with type characters which will print the related data. Such printing plates represent a permanent record of customers, policyholders and the like, and are also advantageously used in the form of credit cards for recording credit sales and services.

Printing plates used in transactions of the foregoing kind are of a size as to be conveniently stored in desksized drawers or relatively small filing cabinets, and in particular the credit cards can be carried compactly in a wallet or purse. Plates and so-called credit cards of the foregoing kind are in nearly every instance embossed in machines that have type character punch and die sets afiorded in rotatable heads. These are heavily constructed to enable the necessary forces to be exerted for deforming metallic plates in accordance with the type characters to be embossed thereon. The heads are usually driven continuously, and when a punch and die set is selected for operation, stops are actuated to abruptly halt the heads in position to present the selected punch and die set to anvils at an embossing station that are to have the embossing forces applied thereto.

inasmuch as plastics can be employed for such plates, particularly in connection with credit cards, the forces required to efiect an embossure are substantially less than those required for metallic plates, and another object of the present invention is to enable plates, cards or the like of plastic or other easily deformable material to be embossed by type character punch and die sets carried by a low inertia flexible band. A related object of the present invention is to enable such a flexible band to be variantly positioned for embossing or imprinting in accordance with the movement of settable members having allocated read-out values representative of type character positions on the aforesaid band or equivalent means. Another object of the present invention is to construct imprinting or embossing apparatus with compactly nested parts representing minimum inertial characteristics, and to so construct such apparatus that type character selection and positioning can be conveniently afforded with a minimum number of parts and which can be automatically controlled by a punched tape or the like.

Other objects of the present invention are to position imprinting type characters or punch and die sets at an imprinting or embossing station in a relatively simple fashion by arranging the same for movement with one of a plurality of settable members, each having allocated read-out values and which can be set to a position representing the sum of the setting movements; to enable the essential operative parts to be quickly and easily set up to represent the ultimate read-out value, and to restore these parts to their zero positions in a relatively simple fashion prior to each cycle of operation.

Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and claims and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings which, by Way of illustration, show preferred embodiments of the present invention and the principles thereof and what is now considered to be the best mode contemplated for applying these principles. Other embodiments of the invention embodying the same or equivalent principles may be used and structural changes may be made as desired by those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention and the purview of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view, partly in section, showing details of embossing apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 1A is a chart tabulating read-out values;

FIG. 1B shows fragments of an embossing band;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating further details of embossing apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a detail view on an enlarged scale showing details of the settable members;

FIG. 2B is a fragment of a punched tape used to control operation of the present apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a typical read-out condition;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken substantially on the line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a timing chart; and

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating the present invention in the form of imprinting apparatus.

The present invention can be embodied in embossing apparatus or imprinting apparatus, and these embodiments will be considered in order.

Thus, referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a plate, plastic card 10 or the like is disposed in position at an embossing station to be embossed by cooperating punches and dies 11 and 12 that are linearly spaced on respective flexible carrier band sections 14 and 15, and as shown in FIG. 1B the punches and dies are configured in accordance with type characters. The punches and dies are advantageously of molded nylon synthetic integral with a band of like material. The card or the like that is to be embossed is disposed between the bands and is held by carriage jaws 20. These jaws will be part of a carriage arranged for character and line spacing in accordance with practices Well known in the art. Additionally, the usual anvils, schematically illustrated at 21 and 22 in FIG. 1, are positioned at the embossing station of the apparatus to apply the necessary embossing force to the punch and die set that has been selected and positioned at the em- P'atented Nov. 28, 1961 bossing base line for efiecting the embossure as will hereinafter be described.

In accordance with the present invention, embossed.

type characters are formed by punches and dies that are carried on respective bands of such narrow width as will effectively accommodate punches and dies of the desired size. These bands are disposed in a common plane and are to be simultaneously moved through in a linear distance, during selection, corresponding to the-position of the selected punch and die'set on the bandsections. To

this end, the band sections 14 and 15 are in reality respective halves of a common one-piece band, half of which is provided with the punches and the remaining halfof which is provided with the cooperating dies. The punch and 'die sets are registered, and the free ends of the common band are anchored to tapes and 26 which in turn have the other ends thereof associated with spring elements in drums 2.8 and 29 so that the punch anddie bands are continuously under tension.

As shown in FIG. 1, the loop or bight portion of the band which carries the punches and dies is looped about or otherwise secured to an anchor element 30, FIG. 1, provided on the outermost one of a group of concentric settable members as will hereinafter be described. It will be realized that various modes of construction can be resorted to'in this regard and in affording the band sections 14 and 15, and advantageously the band sections are guided by. free running idlers.31 which are so arranged as to bring the band sections in close parallel juxtaposition at the embossing station.

The embossing apparatus of the present invention is particularly adapted to be controlled by a punched tape, a fragment of which is illustrated at T in FIG. 2B. 'Thus, the tape T will be punched in accordance with any selected code to represent the data that are to be embossed on the card 10. In each cycle of operation, the openings punched in the tape T are sensed, and the results of the sensing operation are transmitted to selectors that govern the movement of the settable members and which shift 7 the punch and die bands as will now be described.

Thus, a plurality of nested settable elements in the form of concentric rings indicated as a deck or stack at 40 in-FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 are arranged for individual setting movement one relative to another or several in unison as will be described. Each settable ring is adapted to move through a difierent distance. These distances will be cumulative in the instance where more than one settable member is released@ In other words, the readout value of the settable members as a group will be the total of the distances through which the released ones of the settable members move as a whole, and the bands 14 and 15 will be accordingly set.

The settable discs or rings in the present instance are five in number, 40-1 through 40-5 and are concentrically inward of one another in that order. There is a terminal or innermost ring 40-6 which is slotted at its inner periphery to receive a key K carried by a stationary mounting shaft 42, FIGS. 1 and 4. In other words, the innermost ring 40-6 is stationary and represents the stationary or fixed member of the ring set relative to which the remaining rings are adapted to. turn or shift.

turnis' secured by a key K1 or the like to a pinion gear- 47 which is freely mounted and retained on shaft 42, and the pinion gear '47 in turn is meshed with a segment gear 48. From this it will be seen that when gear 48 is turned in a manner to be described hereinafter, such motion will be applied to the outermost one of the settable elements to the settable members and is to be transmitted to each settable member.

The rings 40-1 through 40-5 are normally maintained in restored or zero positions which characterize the absence of any punch and die set at the embossing station, and such restored positions are determined by means. including individual selectors for each ring which are adapted to be individually actuated to releasing positions to enable the related ring or rings to move through a predetermined distance from a restored to a set position. This distance is dilierent for each ring, but the arrangement is such that the settable member 40-1 to which the embossing band is aifixed will move through a distance that is a total of the distance through which each released ring is enabled to move. This may be but-one unit of movement if the outer ring 40-1 is the only .one released to be moved to a set position, or it may be thirty-one .units of movement if all settable rings are released. Inasmuch as all setting movement. emanates through the outer ring 40-1 to which the embossing band is afiixed, the embossing band will move through such total distance in each cycle of the apparatus and will present a punch and die set depending upon the extent of setting or read-out movement represented by the settable members. 7

Such difierential setting movement is achieved by a1- locating a particular read-out value to each of the settable members 40-1 through 40-5. In other words, and as will be described in more detail hereinafter, each settable member will have a code value capable of being represented in the tape T, and when this value in the tape is sensed in a manner to be described, the particular settable member having that assigned code will be released to undergo shifting movement through a predetermined arc. These are movements are tabulated in FIG. 1A and arerelated to groove extensions. Thus, and referring to FIG. 1, a groove or slot 51 of a unit size to have a read-out value of one is formed in the outer periphery'of disc 40-2. This slot includes a stop notch 51N at one end and a right-angled stop shoulder or index element 515 at the opposite end. Ring 40-3 is formed with a slot 52 which between the notch 52N andshoulder 52S thereof is double the length of the corresponding portion of groove 51, therefore having a read-out value of twice that of groove 51. Likewise, slots 53, 54 and 55 are formed respectively in rings 40-4, 40-5 and 40-6 and these are of doubling order such that the last groove 55 has a read-out value of sixteen. It will be recognized that the outermost one of the settable members 40-1 is not provided with a groove, whereas the innermost member 40-6 in the deck; which is not a settable member, is provided with a groove 55 which has the largest degree of arc and hence the largest read-out value. Referring again to FIG. 1A, it will 'be recognized that by combinations and permutations, readout values of zero through thirty-one are possible. For the value zero no settable-member is active; for the value thirty-one all are active. Hence, all upper case alphabet characters and selected signs can be represented; and by increasing the number of rings, numerals and/ or lower case alphabet characters can be represented.

Referring to FIG. 2, each of the settable members 40-1 through 40-5 is provided with a pivotally mounted pawl or setting element '57-1 through 57-5 one end of each pawl being pivoted as at '58 on the related'one of the settable members. The opposite end of each pawl as 57-1 is provided with an inwardly directed pin or dog 59 which is adapted to fit in the related notch or stop as 51N associated with the groove as 51 of the characterizing the unset or restored condition of the settable members as a whole.

Inasmuch as the innermost ring or disc 404 is fixed and non-rotatable, the holding pin 59 associated with the pawl 57-5 related thereto will be disposed in locking position in notch 55N. Inasmuch as this same general condition with respect to the remaining ones of the settable members, all are positively held in a zero or restored state at the commencement of a cycle of operation.

It will be realized, however, that by shifting a pawl from a normal to a released state so that its holding pin is released with respect to and uncoupled from a related notch as 51N, this frees the settable member, having such a pawl associated therewith, for setting movement in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2. In this connection, it will be noted that each of the pawls 57-1 through 57-5 is biased to a home or coupling position in the related notch of the next inner settable member by a leaf spring 60 which is carried at the end of a selector as will be described.

As shown in FIG. 2, there are five selectors 69-1 through 60-5. Each selector is in the nature of a bell crank, being pivoted or arranged for pivotal movement about a fulcrum as 62. The left-hand ends of the selectors, as viewed in FIG. 2, terminate at points under lying the dogs 59 carried by the respective releasable pawl elements. Hence, by rocking a selector clockwise as viewed in FIG. 2, the left-hand end of the selector is effective to raise the related pawl to release its settahle member to the effect of the setting force.

As will be described in more detail hereinafter, such releasing action by a selector is accomplished early in the cycle of the apparatus prior to the time that the gear 48 is actuated. Hence, when the gear 48 is actuated to apply a setting force to the outer ring lli-1, this outermost ring will have a counterclockwise turning force imparted thereto as viewed in FIG. 2, and this institutes setting movement of the settable members. The setting force will be applied progressively inward of the stack 40 whether or not a pawl has been released, although a settable member is incapable of partaking of its own independent movement to its own read-out position unless its setting element or pawl as 574i has been released. For example, if pawl 57-1 is actuated by the associated selector 66-1, the outermost ring is free to turn through one unit of distance, that is, ring 46-1 will move freely until the associated holding dog on pawl 57-1 strikes the stop shoulder or index element 518 at the end of slot 51. Upon so striking shoulder 518, the setting force emanating from gear 48 and exerted on ring 4 19-1 will be applied to ring 40-2, and if pawl 572 happens to be actuated it follows that rings 43-2 is free to turn through two units of distance. In this event, ring 49-1 will move an additional two units, and if no other members have been released, the total readout value represented by ring 4t)1 will be three units.

It will be realized that one or more pawls can be released at the commencement of a cycle of operation of the apparatus. Pawl 571 will always act to exert a setting force on the next inner ring whether its pawl is set in a released or unreleased state. This is also true of the remaining pawls, and the release of any one pawl will result in setting movement.

The selectors are set up as an incident to a sensing operation performed on the tape T. Thus, each selector 60-'1 is formed at the right-hand end thereof as viewed in FIG. 2 with a projection which terminates in a related sensing finger 70-1 through 7tl5. These sensing fingers are accurately positioned at a sensing station to underlie corresponding rows on the tape T wherein punched openings may occur, and the tape T is guided through the sensing station by a matrix block 75 which is slotted to enable the tape T to slide therethrough. Thus, the tape T will be cychcally driven in accurately timed relationship with respect to the cycles of operation of the embossing apparatus of the present invention, and in each movement of the tape T, a new series or row of punched openings will be presented to the sensing fingers. As will be described in detail below, the block 75 is lowered at the commencement of a cycle of operation, and in those instances where there is a punched opening in the tape T in a position allocated to a particular sensing finger, that sensing finger passes theret rough as wfll be evident in FIG. 2 and no motion is imparted to the related selector. However, in the event that a sensing finger should encounter a solid portion of the tape, clockwise motion will be imparted to the corresponding selector 6194. through 605 causing the related release pawl to be actuated, thereby freeing the settable member on which it is carried for setting movement.

it will be recognized from the foregoing that the selectors are actuated as a result of sensing motion, and such sensing motion is characterized by a movement of the tape block 5 toward the sensing fingers. Such motion characterizing sensing is under control of a cam operated arm 39, FIG. 2, which is guided for linear movement in a guide block 81. The arm has an extension 82 at one end thereof to which the tape block '75 is secured, and the opposite end of arm 80 is provided with a cam follower extension 85. Thus, the apparatus includes a cam shaft 86, FIG. 2, to which a cam -87 is secured for rotation therewith, and this cam is allocated to the cam follower 85. A spring 96 is anchored at one end to a fixed element, and the opposite end of this spring is secured to a lug 91 at one end of arm 80 to thereby hold the cam follower against the associated cam 87. An L-shaped arm 92 is secured to arm 80. Arm 92 includes an extension 92E which is disposed adjacent and at right angles to the selectors, and a plurality of spaced restoring lugs 93 are secured to extension 92E in position to underlie each related selector to restore the set selectors as will be explained.

At the commencement of a cycle of operation, the high part or lobe of cam 87 is presented to the cam follower 85 and this continues for about 45 of a cycle of operation, as indicated in FIGS. 2 and 5. During this time, sensing is institut d and completed, the selectors are set, and the corresponding pawls are released. After 45, the low part of cam 87 is presented to the follower 85, charac terizing termination of the portion of the cycle of operation in which sensing is completed.

After sensing is thus completed, the setting force is to be imparted to the settable members as an incident to turning of gear 48. Referring to FIG. 2, it will be noted that gear 48 is part of a relatively large bell crank member 94 which is pivoted at 95, and the arm 96 of this member opposite the gear 48 is provided with a cam follower 99 which is associated with a cam 100. Contact is maintained between the follower 99 and its cam 195) by a spring lill as shown in FIG. 2.

The cam MP9 is so configured as to present a common radius to the follower 99 during the sensing period. Gear 48 is thus held stationary during sensing, whereafter cam 1% presents a gradually diminishing lobe to the follower 99 enabling the spring 101 to take over, such being accompanied by clockwise motion of gear 48 until about the time period in the machine cycle. During the time that gear 48 is thus turned clockwise, gear 47 is turned counter-clockwise as viewed in FlG. 2, unless of course all pawls remain inactive in the restored position in which event gear 47 is inefiective to turn the plate 45, FIG. 4. Otherwise, an efiective setting force is continuously applied to the outermost ring 40-1, and this is transmitted to the setting pawls which apply the setting force down through the stack.

It will be noted fromthe configuration of the cams in FIG. 2 and the timing chart in FIG. 5 that after the discs have been selected for movement and moved by the wise movement of the previously set discs back to their restored or zero positions. In the meantime, arms 80 and 92- are raised, and the restoring lugs 93 are eifective to restore the selectors.

The overall operation of the machine can be best appreciated from the specific example in part illustrated in FIG. 3 which shows an ultimate or total read-out condition of the deck 40 in accordance with a situation where the tape T presents solid portions to sensing fingers 70-1, 70-3 and 70-5 Under this condition, the tape when lowered under control of cam 87 in the early portion of the cycle, will cause sensing fingers 70-1, 70-3 and 70-5 7 to be depressed, and this will be accompanied by clockwise or raising movement of the related selectors 60-1, 60-3 and 60-5. Such actuation of the three-named se 'lectors will result in releasing of the three related setting pawls-57-1, 57-3 and 57-5, thereby freeing the rings to which-these three setting elements are aflixed. Thus,

settable member 40-1 in its restored state is in effect uncoupled from ring 40-2, ring or settable member 40-3 is likewise uncoupled from the next inner ring, and the innermost settable member 57-5 is likewise uncoupled from the. fixed member 40-6 which, incidentally, has its index point or element55S, FIG. 1, spaced along the longest arc.

Accordingly, when the setting force is applied to the outer ring upon rotation of gear 47 and drive plate 45,

this settable member will shift one unit-of distance until its associated pawl 57-1 strikes the shoulder or index element-51S after moving one unitof distance. No other settable member is as yet active. Rings 40-2 and 40-3 remain coupled by the unactuated pawl 57-2 which transmits the setting force, now exerted against shoulder 51S,

, to ring '40-3, and ring 40-2 does not partake of any individual or independent setting movement of its own. On the other hand, pawl 57-3 is released, thereby freeing' ring 40-3. Therefore, rings 40-1, 40-2 and 40-3 are free to move together and in unison through an additional four units of arc until the dog or pawl 57-3" strikes the index element 538, FIG. 3, thereby acting'as an active setting element; This ineifect recouples rings 40-3 and 40-4-sothat the settingforce is now exerted on ring 40-4. However, since pawl 57-4 has not been released from its restored position, it couples settable members 40-4 and 40-5 under the normal or restored condition. Pawl 57-5, however, has been released, th ereby freeing ring- 40-5 to partake of its own independent setting movement underthe influence of the setting move-- ment applied by the setting element or pawl 57-4. Ultimately, the deck 40assumes the totally set condition illustrated in FIG. 3. In the meantime, the embossing band has been moved by the outermost settable member 40-1' a linear distance corresponding to the ultimate read-out position assumed by the outermost ring 40-1, and hence a punch and die type character set has been selected in accordance with the corresponding value represented by the punched tape at the sensing station and has been positioned at the base line represented by the alignment of the anvils'21'and' 22 at the embossing station. Embossing is thereafter effected in the subsequent 90, of the machine cycle, whereafter restoration of the selectors, the settable members and the embossing band is simultaneously effected, and the tape is advanced for the next cycle of operation.

a The foregoing describes the'present invention as embodied in embossing apparatus, then inasmuch as the present invention relates to the positioning of type characters relative to a base line for ultimatelyelfecting a reproducing operations are as set forth in FIG. 5.

The band 14A, to be selectively moved in accordance with the ultimate read-out value of the settable members in'the stack 40, is arranged to extend under a platen 110 which can be of' any desired form. The platen as 110 will normally be in a raised or ineffective position to permit the type band 14A to be moved freely during type character selection. Thus, the platen can be arranged for toggle operation as shown in FIG. 6, and after a type character has been selectively positioned at the base line of the printing station, the platen actuating arm 112 will be shifted to dispose the platen 110 in its elfective or imprinting plane.

Thus, a sheet S, FIG. 6, to be printed islocated at the printing station PS and is supported on an anvil 113. An inked ribbon 114 or the like is interposed between the upper face of sheet Sand the downwardly facing type character 11 that has been positioned for effecting the imprint. Consequently, after a type character has been selected and an actuating force has been applied to the operating force 110, the-selected type character will be reproduced on'the upper face of the sheet S through the medium of the inked ribbon or the like. In this instance, a plurality of stacks as 40 and associated bands 14A will be arranged in'closelynested side-by-side rela tionship on the support or mounting shaft 42 to enable gang imprinting to be effected. Of course under such circumstances, it is possible toimprint an entire line of data, alphabetical or serial numbering, and consequently a wide field comprising quite a few rowsof holes on the tape T will be sensed in any one cycle. This will be accomplished by start-feedand stop-feed data borne by the tape and the field between Will bear punched hole data for setting as many selectors and decks 40 as are required. Such arrangements can also be resorted to for embossing.

It will be recognized that embossing or printing apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention represents .a compact unit, and parts having a great deal of inertia are reduced in number. 'The apparatus is so constructed that automatic control by a punched tape or the like can be easily attained for high speed operation, but it will be recognized that other modes of operation are possible inasmuch as the selectors ultimately are to be. actuated in accordance with a'combination that is up resentative of a read-out value corresponding to a type character that is to be positioned for effective operation in a particular cycle of machine operation.

Hence, while I have illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is to be understood that these are capable of variation and modification, and I therefore do not Wish to be limited to the precise details set forth,but desire to avail myself of such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims.

1. Apparatus of the kind described for positioning type characters relative to a base line and comprising a plurality of settable elements each adapted to undergo rotary setting movement through a different distance from a restored to a set position representativeof a particular readout value and a type character, means for imparting a setlease means for each settable element which when actuated release the related of thesettable elements to undergo setting movement under the influence of the setting force applied thereto and which transmit the setting force to each settable element whereby the ultimate read-out value of the settable elements as a whole is represented by the sum of the setting movements of each settable element so released, means bearing type characters associated with said settable elements so as to be moved therewith during setting movement as aforesaid to present to the base line a type character corresponding to said ultimate read-out value, individual selectors assigned to said release means to selectively actuate the same, and means to selectively actuate said selectors.

2. Embossing apparatus having an embossing station whereat plates, cards or the like are to be embossed with type characters, and comprising a plurality of settable elements in the form of concentric rings each adapted to undergo predetermined setting movement through a difterent degree of arc from a restored to a set position representative of a particular read-out value and a character to be embossed, an innermost stationary or nonsettable ring relative to which the settable rings are adapted to move, means for imparting a rotary setting force to the outermost one of said settable elements and which is to be transmitted to the remaining settable elements, said innermost ring and each of the settable rings other than said outermost ring being formed with a notch and a shoulder spaced therefrom by a distance corresponding to the predetermined setting movement of the next outermost settable ring, a release pawl pivotally connected to each settable element and havinga dog normally seated in the notch of the next related innermost ring and which when released from said notch enables the settable element to which the pawl is connected to undergo setting movement and which upon engaging the related shoulder during such setting movement transmits the setting force to the related settable element to produce setting movement of the related settable element provided its pawl is released, whereby the ultimate read-out value of the settable elements as a whole is represented by the sum of the setting movements produced in each settable element so released, a band bearing spaced punch and die sets and associated with said settable elements so as to be moved therewith during setting movement as aforesaid to present to the embossing station a punch and die set corresponding to said ultimate read-out value, individual selectors assigned to said release means to actuate the same, and means to selectively actuate said selectors.

3. Apparatus of the kind described for positioning type 7 characters relative to a base line and comprising a plurality of concentrically related settable members each adapted to undergo setting movement along an arcuate path from a restored to a read-out position, a fixed member inward of the settable members, means to apply a setting force initially to the outermost settable member and which is to be applied to each of the remaining settable members, said fixed member and said settable members save the outermost one each having a first and second stop elements separated by a distance corresponding to the are of travel through which the next outermost one of said members is to travel in its setting movement to its own read-out position, each of said settable members having a releasable pawl pivotally mounted thereon and which includes a dog normal-1y engaging the first stop element of the next innermost ring in the unreleased position of the pawl to apply the setting force thereto and which is adapted to engage the second stop element in the released position of the pawl to apply the setting force thereto as an incident to setting movement of the settable element with which the released pawl is associated, whereby the setting force will be applied to each of said members whether or not the related pawl is released, means to selectively release said pawls, and

means bearing type characters secured to said outermost I members.

4. Apparatus of the kind described for positioning relal 10 t a tive to a base line type characters incidental to marking a plate, card, sheet or the like with selected of the type characters, and comprising a plurality of settable elements each adapted to undergo rotary setting movement through a different angle from a restored to a set position representative of a particular read-out value and a type character to be used as aforesaid, means for imparting an initial setting force to said settable elements, release and transmitting means for each settable element nor mally preventing the related settable element from undergoing setting movement but which when actuated release the related of the settable elements to undergo independent setting movement under the influence of the set{ ting force appliedtthereto and which in the actuated state also transmit the setting force to each settable element whereby the ultimate read-out value of the settable elements as a whole is represented by the sum of the setting movements of each settable element so released, means bearing type characters and associated with said settable elements so as to be moved therewith during setting movement as aforesaid to present to the base line a type character corresponding to said ultimate read-out value, individual selectors assigned to said release means to actuate the same, and means to selectively actuate said selectors including sensing fingers to be assigned to a punched tape or the like.

5. Apparatus of the kind described for positioning selected type characters and comprising an outer settable member, a plurality of inner settable members, and an innermost fixed member all arranged in a closely nested stack, each of said settable members being adapted to undergo rotary setting movement from a'restored to a read-out position, means to exert an initial setting force on one of said settable members and which force is to be applied to the remaining settable members, releasable means carried by and movable with each settable member and being normally coupled to the next inner member in the restored position of the stack, means to selectively actuate each releasable means to free for setting movement the resultantly uncoupled settable member, an index element on each inner member engageable by the release means in its actuated state during setting movement to apply the setting force to said index element and the associated settable member, said index elements being variantly spaced to afiord different angular read-out positions for said settable members, and means bearing type characters secured to the one of said settable members which will move a distance representative of the sum of the read-out angles through which the uncoupled settable members move. 7

6. Apparatus of the kind described for positioning selected type characters and comprising an outer settable stack, each of said settable members being adapted to undergo rotary setting movement from a restored to a read-out position, means to exert an initial setting force on one of said settable members and which force is tobe applied to the remaining settable members, releasable means carried by and movable with .each settable member and being normally coupled to the next related inner member in the restored position of the stack to apply the setting force thereto, means to selectively actuate each releasable means to free for setting movement the resultantly uncoupled settable member on which it is carried, an index element associated with each inner member and engage-able by each related releasable means in its actuated state during setting movement to apply the setting force to said index element and the associated settable member, said index elements being valiantly spaced to afiord difierent angular read-out positions for said settable members, and means afiording type characters secured to the one of said settable members which will move a distance representative of the sum of the readembossures on a plate, card or the like.

asi es? to exert an Fmitial setting force on said outer settable 'mernber andtwhich force is to be applied to the remainsettable members, releasable dog means carried by and'movable with each settable member and being nor-, mally coupled to the next related inner member in the restored position of the stackto apply the setting force A thereto, means to s'electively actuate each dog means to free'for setting movement the resultantly uncoupled settable member, an index element associated with each inner member and engageable by each related'dog means in its actuated state during setting movement to apply the setting force to said index element and the associ ated settable member, said index elements being variantly spaced to attord different read-out positions for'said settable members, and means bearing type characters secured to said outertsettable membe 8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the type 7 characters are afforded by punch and die sets to eiiect 9. Apparatus of the kind described for positioning type characters and comprising an outer settable member and a plurality of inner settable members all arranged in a closely nested stack, each of said settable members being adapted to undergo rotary setting movement from a restored to a read-out position, means to exert an initial setting force on said outer settable member and which force is to be applied to the remaining settable members,

coupling means carried by and movable with each settable member and being normally coupled to the next related v inner member in the restored position of the stack to apply the setting force thereto, means to selectively actuate associated settable member, a fixed stop for the innermost one of said settable members, said stops being variantly spaced to afford diiferent angular read-out positions for said settable members, and means bearing type characters ing elements adapted to sense a punched tape or the like,

means to effect sensing and to institute, the setting force after sensing is complete, and means to restore the settable I members and said sensing means.

11. Apparatus of the kind described for positioning, selected type characters relative to a base line at an embossing station and comprising an outer settable member and a plurality of inner settable members, all arranged ina closely nested stack, each of said settable members being 40 each coupling means to free the resultantly uncoupled settable member for setting movement, a stop associated with each inner member and engageable by the related; coupling means in its actuated state during setting move ment to apply the setting force to said stop and the 45,

12 adapted to undergo rotary setting movement from a restored to a read-out position, means to exert an initial setting force on one of said settable members and which force is tobe applied to'the remaining settable members, setting means carried by and movable with each settable member and being normally coupled to the next related inner member in the restored position of the stack to' apply the setting force thereto, means to selectively actuate each setting means to free for setting movement the resultantly uncoupled settable member, a stop element associated with each inner settable member and engage able by the related setting means in its actuated state duringsetting movement to apply thesetting'force to said stop element and the associated settable me'mbena fixed stop for the innermosto'ne of said settable members, said stopeleme'nts being variantly spaced to afi'ord different angular read-out'positions for said settablemembers,

' means. bearing'p'unch and die sets secured to the one of said settable members which will move through an angle representative of the sum of the angular distances through which the uncoupled settablemembers move, and means at said base line for imparting an embossing force to said punch and'die sets.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the settingforce is applied to the outer settable member and wherein said punch and die sets are carried on a band secured to said outer settable member;

i 13. Apparatus according totclaim 11 wherein the means which selectively actuate the setting means includes sensing elements for sensing punched tape or like control data representative of said read-out position.

14. Embossing apparatus having an embossing station whereat plates, cards or the like are to be embossed with type characters, and comprising a pluralityv of settable elements each adapted to undergo rotary setting move-t ment through a difierent angle from a restored to a Set position representative of a; particular read-out value and acharacter to be embossed, means for imparting a setting force to one'of said settable elements, release means for each settable element which when actuated release the related of the settable elements toundergo its own independent setting movement under the influence of the setting force applied thereto and .Which transmit the setting force to each settable element whereby the ultimate reatd-tout valueof the settableelements as a Whole is represented bythe sum of the setting movements of each settable'element so released, means affording bearing spaced punch and die sets and associated with said settable elements so as to be moved therewith during se tting movement as aforesaid to present to the embossing station a punch and die set corresponding to said ultimate read-out value, individual selectors assigned to said release means to actuate thesame, and means to selectively'actuate said selectors.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

